Major Sharon Frederick, Texas Army National Guard & ACC's director of Student Learning Services

The flag flew there in honor of ACC at the request of Texas Army National Guard Major Sharon Frederick, who also happens to be the college’s director of Student Learning Services.

“We are able to have a flag flown on a designated day to honor the special people in our lives,” explained Major Frederick via Facebook. “I chose ACC for two reasons. The first is that the college is such a supportive employer, full of friends and colleagues who keep me uplifted with emails, care packages, and prayers. The second reason is that ACC strives to instill in our students the values of leadership, civic duty, responsibility, and giving back to the community. I hope this gesture from me to ACC will symbolize that.”

A veteran student will officially present the flag to ACC on Frederick’s behalf during the college’s Veterans Appreciation and Open House, which will be held at Riverside Campus on Saturday, May 15 – Armed Forces Day. The event is an opportunity for the college to express its gratitude to both those who currently serve as well as veterans. From 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., veterans will have a chance to learn about the services and programs available to them, at ACC and throughout the community. Hundreds are expected to attend.

“A lot of times, veterans feel isolated,” says Matthew Costa, a Business Studies student and former Marine who served in Iraq. “This event will show them they aren’t alone and that they’re appreciated. Hopefully, more vets will decide to take advantage of the resources out there. And ACC is a great place to start.”

Costa wasn’t familiar with the advantages of ACC when he showed up at Riverside Campus last year. He knew only that he wanted a college education, with hopes of a more prosperous future. He quickly found a home at ACC.

“I left Riverside with a full slate of classes as well as a job, in less time than it takes for a doctor appointment,” says Costa, a work-study student in the International Student Office.

Riverside counselor Mervin Jones says that’s the kind of customer service all veterans deserve.

“I understand the power education has to transform a veteran’s life,” says Jones, who served more than two decades in the Army. “It’s my mission to help vets make a smooth transition into college. It’s not always easy. They face many challenges acclimating to civilian life, and it can be difficult to have a full understanding of the wide array of benefits they’ve earned.”

During the Open House, veterans will be able to meet with representatives from Student Services, Veterans Affairs, the Office for Students with Disabilities, and Financial Aid.

Many Texas veterans qualify for the Hazlewood Act, a benefit that pays for 150 hours worth of college credit at any public college or university in the state. And now that benefit can be transferred to veterans’ children under age 25.

“It’s very important that veterans come talk to us,” says Mark Harden, manager of Veterans Affairs at ACC.  “Our goal is to make sure they’re utilizing every financial aid opportunity available to them.”

ACC’s new veterans organization will also have a presence at the Open House. The genesis of Veteran Associated was an 18-year-old just back from Iraq. Bernie Hinterlong, a lab technician in ACC’s Biology Department, noticed the vet at Riverside Campus.

“He was in a hallway surrounded by people, but he looked so lonely,” recalls Hinterlong, a veteran and a military mom. “I knew we had to do something.”

Hinterlong inquired with Student Life and discovered the previous veterans club was no longer active. She and Biology Professor John Norris, who also served in the military, created Veteran Associated.

“Veterans need to see they have a support network at ACC,” says Hinterlong. “It’s tough to adjust to life outside the service, and it helps to know people who understand exactly what you’re going through. Members of Veteran Associated lean on one another. Bringing them together is the least we can do, after all they’ve done for us.”

Veteran students can get help with academic and degree planning at the Open House, with advisors and counselors like Mervin Jones on hand to assist. Jones says the approach to helping veterans goes deeper than basic academic advising.

“While I work with them on their application, enrollment, and course selections, I also do what I can to help them overcome academic, career, and personal difficulties that often interfere with their college success,” says Jones.

Help can be found outside the college as well. ACC’s Veterans Appreciation will connect vets to dozens of community resources, including Operation Honor Our Heroes, Texas Hearing and Service Dogs, the Texas National Guard, the Travis County Veterans Service Office, and Austin Vet Center.

The Veterans Appreciation and Open House also includes fun for families, with games, giveaways, food, and the chance to take photos on a combat Humvee.

This spring, more than 1,700 vets are enrolled at ACC. Of course, ACC’s appreciation for them extends beyond the May 15 event.

“We have a commitment to going the extra mile for our students who have served in the military,” says Jones. “They put their lives on the line so that we can be free. They deserve our full support and gratitude, each and every day.”

Join ACC for the Veterans Appreciation and Open House on Saturday, May 15, from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will be at the college’s Riverside Campus, 1020 Grove Blvd. in southeast Austin. The flag flown in Iraq in honor of ACC will be at each campus as following:

• Riverside: May 17-18
• Eastview: May 19-20
• Pinnacle: May 21-22
• South Austin: May 24-25
• Rio Grande: May 26-27
• Northridge: May 28-29
• Cypress Creek: May 31-June 1

The flag will then be taken to ACC’s Highland Business Center for display. Click here for more information on the Veterans Appreciation and Open House and ACC Veterans Affairs.

Update: View pictures from the event at Facebook.